Valerie Brenner (Vice President)

While Valerie’s son was in K-12 public schools, there was little time to participate in various support groups and committees. That changed as she realized her son’s transition from high school to real life was jeopardized by a lackadaisical attitude exhibited by his school district towards an Asperger student. This unleashed a fierce advocacy that continues to promote the awareness that after the school entitlement ends, the outlook for adults is grim. This motivated her to co-find the Autism Lifespan Project (Autism LP) in 2008. Realizing that a lack of residential and higher educational supports are practically nil in Washington, she has devoted the past several months to compiling a roster of colleges that have programs or supports for students on the spectrum.

Recently elected to the Board of Directors, she represents ASW on various committees, fundraising events and public outreach. Her educational background in management/economics has been important in helping her husband operate as a small business owner. She hopes to bring that knowledge to ASW and help chart a relevant course for the future. In addition, she is impelled to link the autism community as a whole to work towards solutions, advocate within the political system and ease the rifts between various factors. At the center should be and always remain the happiness and wellness of our kids.

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